‘Building for the future’
Belturbet U20's triumph in 2023.
When referee Matthew McGahern blew the final whistle at the U20 Division 4 Championship Final in late November, Belturbet manager Paul Murphy, usually stoic on the sideline, broke momentarily.
The 1-12 to 0-6 win over Naomh Brid (Redhills & Drumalee) only told part of the story.
For Belturbet's Rory O'Moores it had been a difficult year. Relegated in September after losing to Drumgoon in a play-off, the mood at the club was low.
Paul, alongside his brother JJ, brother-in-law Alan Brown, and Gareth O'Callaghan, took over the U20 side in October. They began by seeking out “incremental improvements” across the pitch.
Expectations were put to one side in favour of building a team and instilling confidence in a group of players whose potential had not yet been fully realised.
Paul, who played left-back for Cavan's Seniors in the past, already knew some of the players - their character and ability.
“As a backroom team, we were confident we had something to work with.”
They began by working on fitness, before focusing on developing unity within the team.
“I just wanted to impart a little of what I learned and JJ has a great footballing mind, he sees things on the pitch others might miss. But, what was most important, you could see these boys were listening, and really that's half the battle. They wanted to be better. Winning is great but it's not everything. There has to be a will there to want to be better. Wins come after that.”
Whatever about Belturbet playing Junior football next year, Paul is confident the “future is bright” for the Rory O'Moores with strong talent coming up the ranks. After the win at Lacken's Crowe Memorial Park there was a “special moment” too.
Back in the locker room, away from cheers and backslapping, there was an emotional moment when the team remembered clubmate, the late Liam Vesey.
The 18-year-old, who died back in January, and formerly attended St Patrick’s College in Cavan, was a core member of the Belturbet U20 side.
“It was a very natural thing. Young Jack Lawlor, who is the captain, he spoke and the first thing he wanted to do was go down to the grave and show their respects. They did that, as a team, as a club, and it was lovely. It was important too. It came totally from them.”